SPRINT Championship (almost) Foregone Conclusion, but Watch My Smoke

Having knocked out a bike ride of nearly 20 miles for the third time in a week, I pronounce myself ready for a sprint where Jimmy Johnson has no greater chance of denying me than all those going-left NASCAR guys have of stopping him from a fourth straight championship.

Okay, that's probably a specious statement, since Jimmy's Sprint season has been loaded with results and my sprint is predicated on writing a 50,000 word novel in thirty days, so let's just agree that we'll both hit the desired final wire around Thanksgiving and he'll get both plenty of attention and a butt-load more dinero for his achievement.

I kind of understand the scoring system for NASCAR's championship, but its somewhat telling that most calculations about the possibility of derailing Mr. Johnson's crowning revolve around "and he gets caught in a huge wreck at Talladega." While a DNF (did not finish) means no points and obviously those drivers closest to Johnson's total would make progress if they manage to avoid the wrecks that are legendary at Talladega, JJ has kept a remarkably 'clean' car all season. (FYI- the radically slanted super-speedway provides centrifigual force that keeps cars on the upper edge vs. usual higher-or-lower search for the best groove. Cars run in extended lines because when one gets out of what cyclists might call the peleton, its impossible to squeeze back in. The result is fast pacing, little passing, and when "something happens", it usually catches a whoooole LOT of people in the mess.) In fact, Johnson's last DNF *was* at Talladega in 2006--he was dueling for the lead with Dale Ernhardt, Jr. on the last lap and they both got taken out by Brian Vickers. It *could* happen, but with four races to go, you'd could get long odds that he'd suddenly get a real run of negatives and get caught in the points race, where he leads Mark Martin by 118, Jeff Gordon by 150, and the loveable, Burger King-eating Tony Stewart by 192.

Like everyone except Jimmy, I won't be winning a championship in November. I may not even watch much of that other major November championship, The World Series between the Phillies and Yankees, because keeping the pedal to the metal is the only way to get to the finish line on that 50K. I'm saving one Saturday off in order to catch some Charlotte Rugby Club action out at Skillbeck Athletic Grounds, and I'm expecting to make it to at least one HS football playoff game in the next three weeks. Other than that, and some 15-mile bike rides that take about an hour and add staying power to the physical demands one might not suspect are involved in the writing process (oh, and I guess that 'real job' thing will require some time and effort), I'm locked into this race till the end.

Predictions: Jimmy wins his Sprint championship by oh, 88 points over truly 'old boy' Martin without crashing at Talladega; the Yankees return to the top of the baseball heap in a thrilling six games with Mr. Clutch Derek Jeter or A-Rod (see ball, hit ball is working for you Alex!) the MVP; Independence HS makes it to the state finals, and I survive many, many hours alone with my computer before producing something I'll be equally proud about accomplishing, just about the time I scarf the last of any leftover turkey.

Glenn S.